“A theme is a universal idea, lesson, or message explored throughout a work of literature.”
-Lit Charts
To put it simply, theme is the “moral of the story.” When coming up with your story theme, ask yourself, “What point do I want to make in this story?”
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5 Common Themes:
- Love
- Good vs. Evil
- Coming of Age
- Redemption
- Revenge
Love
Love is one of the most universal and commonly used themes in literature. This theme shows how love can bring out the best in someone, drive them to madness, or cause one to sacrifice themself for the one they love. Common types of love in story are: Forbidden Love, Friendship, Unrequited Love, and Family Love.
Good vs. Evil
Good vs. Evil occurs when the protagonist has to fight against some evil force. This is a common theme used in fantasy novels. A great example of this in literature is J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings.” In this trilogy, Frodo Baggins is given the task of taking The One Ring to Mount Doom where it can be destroyed and evil will be vanquished.
Coming of Age
Coming of age occurs when the character goes through a series of events on their way to adulthood. A lot of the time, stories with these themes will show the character go through an awakening before reaching maturity. A great example of this takes place in Lois Lowry’s, “The Giver.” In this novel, Jonas is assigned the role of the Receiver of Memories where he learns that the world he lives in is corrupt. He then has to grow up and make decisions to save lives and free his family from living in ignorance with no free will.
Redemption
The Redemption theme occurs when a character realizes their fatal flaw and decides to do the right thing โ turning away from their old ways. A great example of this takes place in the film, “The Rise of Skywalker.” In this movie, Kylo Ren realizes that he’s been used and lied to by Darth Sidious (emperor Palpatine) for years. He turns to the light โ becoming Ben Solo once again โ and helps Rey defeat the emperor and saves the galaxy from doom.
Revenge
The Revenge theme occurs when a character makes plans to avenge wrongs done to them. This theme typically shows what a person has to go through and what they sacrifice in order to get the vengeance they desire. An iconic example of this is “Hamlet.” In this story, Hamlet is driven to kill his uncle who poisoned Hamlet’s father โ the king โ and seized Hamlet’s throne. Hamlet is willing to give up everything, even his life, to get vengeance. (A great film adaptation is Ophelia).
In the comments below, let me know which theme you’re using in your current manuscript! If you enjoyed this blog post, check out, “6 Common Types of External Conflict in Story.”
